Short Change Hero

Chapter 3: No Way Out

Chapter Three

No Way Out

"I'm a victim of my instinct,

Unraveling and reeling,

Think I'm wise,

I watch the walls around me,

Falling down,

So far away, from safe and sound,

I've lost control,

Where do I run now?

There's no easy way out,

when everything's coming undone..."

No easy way by Digital Daggers

Sunday September 1st, 1996

The thick whistle from the Hogwarts Express sounded loudly, as Draco dove in and out of the obnoxious bustling people, crowding platform 9 ¾ . Rushing towards the first door of he could actually get in, he boarded the train glaring at anyone who dared to get in his way. Quickly scanning each occupied compartment making his way down, he promptly entered the last empty one wanting to stew alone with his thoughts.

Hastily shoving his bags over head, he then unbuttoned his suit jacket, removed it, and placed upon the bench. He sat down with a huff, and glanced down at his pocket watch for a quick moment. Draco sighed as he looked out the window to his right allowing his tongue to trace the inside of his cheek, the gash now almost fully healed. With another howling scream from the train, it leached forward and began to move.

Draco decided these past few days had been extremely difficult, as he then glanced down at the black sleeve of his dress shirt covering his left forearm. Pursing his lips tightly, he recalled the two things he was trying so hard to forget about. One had to do with a deliberately near impossible task, and the other had to do with an annoyingly nosy witch with bushy brown hair.

Leaning his elbows somewhat upon his knees, he lowered his face into his hands with a moan. Wishing he could forget the encounter with her in that oh so narrow alleyway. Remembering what he saw, replaying in flashes from his memories, this continued to pester him greatly.

Flashes that had to do with the way she looked pressed against a wall, with her flushed cheeks as her small tongue darted out to wet her parted lips. He could almost still smell her scent of cinnamon and Granger. Wishing he had gotten just a taste of the spearmint toothpaste of which her breath smelt of.

The images in his mind were absolutely tantalizing, and they had been haunting him for almost five days now. The thoughts caused him to groan, whether it was in disgust or delight, he honestly did not know. With a sigh he briskly sat up right, fixed his dress pants, wishing something would distract him, and quickly.

'Get it together. You are a Malfoy. She's a filthy mudblood for Merlin's sake.' He scolded himself then looked out the window yet again, just to watch the passing green grass outside his window.

Suddenly the sliding door was shoved open by someone, who then closed the door roughly, yet in a proficient manner. The fact that the person in his compartment was the witch that had been in his haunting thoughts and memories for days now, startled him. She currently stood with her back pressed against the door, slipping down to the ground, most likely out of view from anyone passing by.

Staring down at her, seeing her eyes closed her face pink, and her features hard. She looked positively furious he noted, examining her closely.